Loose leaf binders



Dec. 2, 1958 k H. E. HUT ZELMAN 2,362,504

' LOOSE LEAF BINDERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 11, 1954 INVENTOR.Howard E fluke/mar? ATTORNEY Dec. 2, 1958 H. E. HUTZELMAN 2,862,504

LOOSE LEAF BINDERS 5 sheets-sheets Filed Feb. 11, 1954 ATTORNEY UnitedStates Patent 6 LOOSE LEAF BINDERS.

Application February 11, 1954, Serial No. 409,740

.7 Claims. c1. 1z9 1 -This invention relates to a device for use as abinder for looseleafmaterial and more particularly to a device thati'sof the nature of an open top receptacle. its present form, theinvention provides support and anchorage for loose sheets or cards andenables access to such sheets or cards as readily and as visibly as thepages of a fullyopen book.

Many kinds of binders have heretofore been utilized for securing loosesheets in a compact manner. Some of these are merely intended forprotective storage and are not of the class to which the invention isdirected. The others are intended to secure a quantity of loose sheetsin such manner as to enable reference access thereto. Loosfi heets, suchas data sheets, forms, ledgers, manuals, etc., are provided with punchedholes through which rings project, the rings being generally anchored atthe connection of the binder covers. These rings are made to opencentrally to enable withdrawal and replacement of the sheets. Ledgertype binders, as distinguished from the ring type, employ pins or postscarried by a rigid back, the pins being separable to enable sheetremoval and replacement. 1

The most apparent objection to many of the current binders or holdersfor loose leaf material lies in the fact that they are not designed toenable sectional or unital removal and replacement. By way of example,let it be assumed thata large volume of sheet material is containedbetween two covers. It frequently becomes necessary to remove manysheets in order that those it is desired to remove will be removable atthe fixed place of separation of the rings, as in the snap ring binder.Also, with ledgers it is necessary to remove a cover, and possiblycertain sections of the inter-fitted pins, to enable removal of'desiredintermediate sheets. While this objection may seem of little consequencein binders having relatively few sheets, it is of great concern withrespect to large binders and particularly those necessitating frequentchange, revision, and replacement of forms, data, etc. It has developedin the past that many sheets have become damaged, torn, lost, or, atbest, misplaced, in a binder wherein access to sheet removal is possibleat only one place.

The invention is therefore directed to and has for one of its objectsthe provision of a supporting binder for loose leaf material that is ofsuch construction as to give full viewability to both faces of each andevery sheet by enabling turning the sheet through substantially 180.

Another and very important object of the invention lies in the provisionof a supporting binder that permits separation of the sheet holding rodsat any desired place in order that one or more given sheets may beremoved without displacing the other sheets held in the binder.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of a binder thatwill accommodate a large volume of sheet material without in any wayrestricting convenience of access and viewability, or selective removaland replacement.

Other objects and advantages of the inven'tionwill be we Y C more fullyunderstood from a consideration of the following specification, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings; in which- 7 Fig.1 is aperspective view of a device embodying the invention and shows theanchoring rods in position to enable removal or insertion of loose leafsheets;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1, with the rods inposition to prevent displacement of the sheets;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the device;

Fig. 4 is a right end view of the device showing the crank by means ofwhich the separation point of the rods may be adjusted with respect tothe loose leaf material anchored thereby;

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view, taken substantially onthe line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a View looking down into the device, the top plates beingbroken away for this purpose, and is taken substantially as suggested bythe line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing details of thecrank mechanism for shifting the position of separation of the sheetcarrying rods;

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of the device, the rod separatinglever being shown in the opposite position from that of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the rod supporting frame tohave been moved by means of operation .of theframe adjusting crank;

I Fig. '10 shows the rod supporting frame as viewed substantially on theline 10-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view showing the rack andpinion structure by which the frame is extendable to separate the leafholding rods; and

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary detail in solid and dotted line,showing the means for holding the rod operating leverin either of twopositions.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the reference numeral'10 isemployed to generally designate a receptacle-like binder for loose leafmaterial. For a clearer understanding of the invention, the binder maybe said to be of box-like structure having a central depressedbase'11'ai1d end platforms 12 and 13. For convenience in use, theplatforms 12 and 13 are inclined downwardly toward the front 14 of thedevice. Centrally of the length'of the front 14 in slot 15. The innervertical edges 16 of the platforms constitute upstanding sides to thebase 11 and'cooperate to provide an area in which the anchored edges ofthe sheets are located. To facilitate furtherdescription, the device isdefined as having a rear wall 17 and end Walls 18. The box-likestructure is hollow and contains certain of the operative structure ofthe device. 7

Referring more particularly to Fig. 6 of the drawings, wherein the base11 and top walls 12 and 13 are broken away, it will be noted that thedevice is provided with a pair of'substantially identical U'shapedmembers 19 and 20 which together form a rectangular frame 21. Thesemembersinclude ends 22 and side flanges 23.' The side flanges 23 ofmember 19 are overlapped by the the corresponding side flanges of member20 and these members are held together by means of pins 24 that projectthrough corresponding slots 26 in the members. The purpose of this pinand slot structure is to enable relative endwise movement of 'themembers to permit endwise expansion or contraction of the frame 21. Eachof the flanges 23, substantially centrally of its position of overlapwith the corresponding flange, is formed with a lengthwise notch 27 (seeFig. 11) the notch of one flange opening upwardly and the notch of theother flangeopening downwardly. The base walls of thesenotches are inthe form of opposed racks, having'teeth 28 and 29. The arrange me nt ofthese racks is such that suflicient space 'therebetween enablesinserting an elongated pinion 31.

This pinion extends entirely'throu'ghthe space within the frame andterminates at the front of the frame in a shaft 32 that inturn projectsthrough the slot 15 in the 'front' wall "14, beingfitted with a lever'33. The rear eiidof the pinion 31fixedly mounts a disk3'4 (see Fig.12). At one point in the circumference of this-disk is an ear 36, towhich one endof a'link37 is pivotally pinned. The other end of this linkis engaged by one end of a spring 38. As may be seen in'Figs. 6 and 9,the other end of this spring is engaged with a bracket 41, carried bya'side'fiange of the member20. 'Again referring to Fig. 12, andcomparing the full and dotted line positions shown therein,'it-wil1beseen that by rotatingthe pinion 180, by meansof the lever 33,'the diskand-"spring act to yieldingly holdthe pinion-in either of two rotatedpositions.

A set of loose leaf mounting rods 42 are secured at their-correspondingends to the end 22 of member 19. The other ends of these rods areapertured, substantially as suggested at 43 in Fig. 11. Another-set ofrods 44 are carried by the end 22 ofmember 2tl-and the inner ends ofthese rods are provided with pins 46 which are intended to project intothe openings 43 of the previously described rods under certainconditions 'of operation. The

inner portions of the sets'of-rodsproject through openings in thevertical walls or edges 16 of the platforms andarethus supported forendWise movement as 'the frame 21 may be expanded or contracted.

Beneath the platform 13 is located structure by means of which theentireframe 21 may be moved in the direction of its length. This structureconsists of a shaft 47, one end of which projectsthrough the end wall 18and is fitted with a crank 48. A considerableportion of the shaft isthreaded, as at 49. This portion projects through a 'threadedopening inthe end 22 of member 20. The shaft is prevented 'endwise'movement byreason of its interfitting with a securing plate 51 in the wall 18 (seeFig. 7). Rotation ofthecrank 48, in one direction or the other, causesthe threaded portion'49 toefltect endwise travel of the frame 21.

For a clearer understanding of the many advantages of the structureabove described, a brief statement of the operation thereof is set out.It will of course be understood that the rods 42 and'44 are spaced aparta distance equivalent to the spacing of the holes punched in sheets orcards, such as indicated at' 52 in Fig. 1. To mount the sheets-on thedevice, the lever 33 is rotated from the position of Fig. 3 to that'ofFig. 8. This 180 rotation of thelever causes the pinion to move member'19 in an endwise outward direction and the-other member 20, in theopposite direction. This of course separates rods 42 and 44 at theirmeeting points, leaving a space therebetween to enable inserting thesheets. Again referring to Fig. 1, it may be assumed that a largequantity of sheets or cards have been placed on the rods 42 to such anextent that the sheets substantially'fill the exposed-portion oftherods. To enable mounting additional'sheets, the operator merely flipsthe lever 33 to a position to bring the pin ends into contact with eachother, thus preventing displacement ofthe sheets, and then rotates thecrank 48 in a direction to move the entire frame-lets say, towardtherplatform '13. The lever '33-may now be rotated to expand the frame21 and separate the pins 'andadditional sheets may now be "mounted onthe pins 42. In this manner, the'entire base 11 maybe filled with looseleaf material.

'Shouldfthe material carried by the device, as is often the case,include'data, price, or other sheets that are constantly subject tochange, it will be evident that removal and replacement of anygivensheet or group of sheets may be easily made without the necessity of removing an additionalwquantity of sheets. For example, shouldit bedesired to 'remove one or more sheets at one end of the-entire mass ofmateriaL-it is merely necessaryto turn the crank in a direction to movethe separation points of the rods toward one or the other of theplatforms 12and '13. 'When thishasbee'n done,th'e' lever 33 may berotated to separate the pins and the desired sheet or sheets removed.

The platforms 12 and 13 are arranged and inclined to render the devicemost accessible for use. It may be assumed that the platforms 12 and 13are the equivalent of the covers of a book or binder-when in openposition and thus the loose leaf sheets will readily lie on either orboth ofthese platforms in the manner of'thepages of fully open'book.This, of course, enables full'visibility of all printed matter orotheritems-thatmay appear on one face or the other of the mountedsheets, and by means ofthe downward incline of the platforms, the sheetsare further conveniently viewable.

it is pointed out that the number of rods 42 and 44 shown may be variedin accordance with the use to which the device may be put. Small sizeloose leaf materialmay need the support of only three rods, whereaslarge size data, ledger, and other sheets may requirethe support of fouror more rods. The invention is 'primarily'idirected, therefore, to theprovision of a device which, while mounting a large quantity'ofloose'leaf material, still enables selective insertion and removal ofany part of such rnaterial'without in any way sacrificing theviewabilityof both sides ofeach sheet'comprising the material.

Although'applicant has shownand described only one formof the invention,it'will be'apparent; as suggested above iii-connection with the numberof mounting rods,

that the device may be'modified'inother respects to accommodate it tovarioususes and that-suchmodification is contemplated as being withinthe spirit and scopeof the-invention insofaras set outin the annexedclaims.

Having thus-set forth my-invention, what "I claim-as new and for which Idesireprotection by Letters Patentis:

l. A binder-for mounting a plurality of loose sheets-or leaves that havea series of holes in their common marginal edges, said binder comprisinga-base, a central-areaof said base serving to receive said sheet edges,sets of rods in said base, the rods of each set in part overlying saidcentral area and being of equal number and arrangement and adapted toprojectthrough the marginal holes insa'id sheets, a movable part'framemember supporting each set of rods, sides on each member overlappingtoprovide a frame,means for securing the framemembers in either of twoselective relative positions with corresponding ends or" the rods ofeach set inspaced or abutting relation, a shaft having threadedengagement with one end of-said frame, a crank 0n: the other end ofsaidshaft'ithat projects through one end'of said base, said shaftbeing-rotatable to move said frame in a directionto locatethecorresponding rod ends at anypointithrougho'ut thewidth-nof saidcentral area.

2. A binder for mountinga plurality .ofloose'sheets or leaves that areprovided with a series ofmarginalholes, said binder comprising a base, arecessed area-centrally of said base for receiving correspondingmarginal edges of said "sheets, the end portions of said base providingplatform-like areas upon which the free portions ofsaid sheets may rest,an identical set of rods mounted in-each of said end portions, the rodsof-each set being of like number'and arrangement to project through saidholes to anchor said sheets, a movable part frame member supporting eachset of rods,- a shaft mounted pinion, gear in .saidbase, one end of theshaft extending'beyond the front of said base and having a lever bywhich to rotate said gear,-a rack on each member, theracks beinginopposed relation and engaged-with saidgear and enabling simultaneousmovement of said members in opposite dis rections by manipulation -ofsaid lever to effect engagement or disengagement of the endsof the rodsof one set with those of the-other set, a shaft havingthreadedengagementwith one of the frame memb'ers,and means for rotating said shaft locatedexteriorly of an end of said base, said shaft, when rotated, causing themembers and pinion to move as one in thedirectionofthe length of saidrods whereby to locate the engaged ends of the rods at any desired pointthroughout the width of said recessed area.

3. A binder for mounting a plurality of loose sheets or leaves that havea series of holes in their common marginal edges, said binder comprisinga base having end portions provided with opposing walls defining betweenthem a central area for receiving said sheet edges, a set of rodsmounted within each end portion of said base, the rods of each setprojecting through the adjacent one of said walls and in part overlyingsaid central area and being movable with respect to said base to causethe adjacent ends of each set to abut to form continuous rods extendingthe full width of said central area, means connected with and operableto simultaneously move the sets of rods into and out of abuttingrelation to enable engagement or disengagement with the holes in saidsheets, and further means connected with and operable to adjust saidrods to locate said ends, when in abutment, at any desired pointthroughout the width of said central area.

4. A binder for mounting a plurality of loose sheets or leaves that havea series of holes in their common marginal edges, said binder comprisinga base having end portions provided with opposing walls defining betweenthem a central area for receiving the edges of said sheets, a set ofsubstantially identical rods in each end portion projecting through theadjacent one of said walls and in part overlying said central area andhaving ends abutting to form continuous rods extending the full width ofsaid central area, means in said base mounting each set of rods formovement with respect to said central area, a manually operable memberengaged with the means of each set for'moving the sets into and out ofabutting relation to enable their engagement or disengagement with theholes in said sheets, and further means in said base connected with saidrod mounting means and operable to move all of said rods in a commondirection whereby to locate the ends thereof at any desired pointthroughout the width of said central area.

5. A binder for mounting a plurality of loose sheets or leaves that areprovided with a series of marginal holes, said binder comprising a basehaving end portions provided with opposing walls defining between them arecessed area centrally of said base for receiving correspondingmarginal edges of said sheets, rods movably mounted in said endportions, said rods projecting through said opposing walls into saidarea and including interfittable ends which render them continuousbetween said opposing walls and across said area when interfitted, meansconnected with and operable to simultaneously move the rods in the endportions to separate their ends, and further means connected with all ofsaid rods operable to move them to locate said ends, when interfitted atany desired point within the limits of said recessed area.

'6. A binder for mounting a plurality of loose sheets or leaves that areprovided with a series of like marginal holes, said binder comprising abase having end portions provided with opposing walls defining betweenthem a central depressed area for receiving the marginal edges of saidsheets that are provided with said series of holes, said end portionsproviding platform-like areas upon which the free portions of saidsheets may rest, an identical set of rods movably mounted in each ofsaid end portions, the rods of each set being of like number andarrangement projecting through the adjacent one of said walls andthrough said holes to anchor said sheets, means connected with each setof rods for moving the adjacent ends of corresponding rods into and outof abutment with each other, and further means in said base connectedwith each set of rods and operable to simultaneously move all of saidrods in the direction of their length to locate said ends, when inabutment, at any desired point between the end portions of said base.

7. A binder for mounting a plurality of loose sheets or leaves that havea series of holes in their common marginal edges, said binder comprisinga base having end portions provided with opposing walls defining betweenthem a central area for receiving said sheet edges, a set of rodsmounted in each end portion of said base and projecting through theadjacent one of said walls and extending over said central area, therods of each set being identical in number and relationship and adaptedto project through said holes and secure the sheet edges within saidcentral area when the corresponding ends thereof abut, movableframe-like members within said base supporting said sets of rods, meansengaged with and manually operable to move said members in a directionto selectively eflect abutment or separation of the sets of rods, andfurther means connected with and operable to simultaneously move saidmembers as one and in a common direction whereby to locate the point ofabutment of said rods at any place within the limits of the width ofsaid central area.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS977,682 Seivert Dec. 6, 1910 1,628,159 Lacey May 10, 1927 2,017,742Weatherly Oct. 15, 1935 2,519,192 Lincke Aug. 15, 1950

